My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was

cake is so

her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to

box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should we

the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl

the ‘Happy Birthday’

must close her eyes and make

Rachel must blow out

head to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go

had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

say it in your

she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with

Rachel gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out to the

you!” their parents instructed,

paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the

Rachel finally smiled for

so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood.

I might as well pretend it never existed for

then. It’s been

turned and headed toward the

apartment and

the door was propped open by

Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

out on

himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the

been getting

took two steps

as he pulled off his necktie and threw

he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days, would

approached her, forcing her

no idea

staggered after him and